2012/13

President this year was Des Power, with Siobhan Fahey continuing as Secretary and Dermot Arnold as Treasurer.

At his first meeting, Des laid out his strategy saying that it was his intention to spread the load of organizing events across all the members of the club. This was an acknowledgement of the fact that Dungarvan Lions is one of the most active clubs in the country, and it was to prove a winning approach for the course of the year.

Work was distributed across all the traditional committees. New members were welcomed into the club and became quickly assimilated into the running of things. Past Presidents and members had established a winning combination of fund raising and service events and this year this tradition was consolidated by building on the successes of the past and introducing new events.

Throughout there was an emphasis on service. One of the first events of the year was the Carriglea Tea Party on August Bank Holiday Monday and in March 2013 the Message in a Bottle project had a very successful launch. Nursing Homes visits (previously referred to as Hospital Visits) spread their wings and Carechoice in Dungarvan became a new venue. Being part of a bigger Lions family is important too and the Trabolgan holiday project, with its fun and hard work, demonstrated the Club's commitment to the Lion's motto "we serve".

Raising money for charity is a serious business but interlacing all the activities of the year was the fun factor. This was epitomized at the Jigs & Reels on 2nd March when the President took to the stage. While the costume was colourful, his Irish dancing lacked the success which had become synonymous with the Presidency. Des had already proven himself in the company of the biggest crowd yet at the Christmas Swim, but on that occasion he put that success down to the magnificent weather. All the members were in on the fun factor and enjoyed the Bowling and Social Night, which was one of the first events of the year. Indeed the year ended with another social event as a barbecue for members and guests followed the July meeting in the Seanachai.

As ever, fund raising does occupy much of the attention of the club. Throughout West Waterford the club is known especially for the enormous energy that goes into the Christmas Appeal and this Christmas a large number of individuals and families were assisted by the club who worked in close co-operation with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The work started in early November when members began the task of knocking on many doors for auction items and donations; the on-air pub quiz got the ball rolling in terms of events. The familiar Lions Mobile Unit took its place in the Christmas Village in the Shopping Centre. The end result was a record amount raised due to a big increase in the number of events and organizations that contributed to the total. This was thanks to a huge community effort and the hard work of members.

Like most clubs, Dungarvan saw the number of requests for assistance grow due to the economic downturn. The Distribution Committee handled these with sensitivity and club funds were distributed in as fair and effective a way as possible.

General fundraising included the Ardmore Christmas Walk, the Cunnigar Walk, an Autumn Concert in the Friary Church, the aforementioned Jigs & Reels and the Christmas Swim. One of the major projects which was assisted was the new Fusion Centre for the No Name Club who received a cheque for €5,000 from club funds.

It was heartening to see that Brian McNally, one of the longest serving Lions, received the honour of Life Membership from Lions HQ, having been proposed by the Club. Coinciding with a realignment of Zones, the club also re-established links by visiting near neighbours Carrick-on-Suir Lions.

And 2013 was the year in which this web site www.dungarvanlions.ie was launched.

At the final meeting of the year, when the President handed over the chain of office to incoming President John Dwane, Des thanked everybody for all their co-operation and enthusiasm during the year. A special word of thanks went to Siobhan Fahey (Secretary), Dermot Arnold (Treasurer) and all the heads of committees.

A presentation was made to retiring member and three-time past President, Jack Stephenson.

Like many before it, it was a great year for the club. The strategy of spreading the load had worked.